Vartanian's wife, Natasha, declined to testify Tuesday in Fresno County Superior Court. Police said Vartanian slapped her and tried to suffocate her with a pillow after the two argued over a $135,000 watch earlier this year.

A new state law limits the power judges have to force domestic violence victims to testify.

Vartanian remains free on bond and still faces 16 counts of grand theft in connection with his defunct luxury car lot.

Vartanian has been in the news for his efforts to revive the city's struggling Granite Park, a themed restaurant complex once home to rocker Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Mexican cantina.